Deer Related Accidents Keep Auto Shops Busy

CENTRAL ILLINOIS - Cold winter signifies mating season for deer and government studies indicate deer become more active, aggressive, and a greater threat to humans, pets, and suburban landscapes.

Local auto body shops have also reported being much busier than usual. As many as six deer related accidents have been reported at one auto repair facility in the last month alone. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, collisions between deer and cars account for 200 deaths per year.

So what can people do avoid hitting deer? While no method is fail safe, insurance companies recommend taking the following precautions:

1.Watch for the rest of the gang. Deer are pack animals, and rarely travel alone. If a deer crosses in front of you, chances are there are more nearby. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer darting across the road.

2.Timing is everything. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn: periods when your vision is most compromised. To add to their terrible timing, deer are on the move during mating season (between October and January) when you're more likely to travel after the sun sets. Slow down and stay alert, especially after dark.

3.Wear your seat belt. It may not prevent a collision, but if the inevitable happens a seat belt can reduce injuries. This is especially true if you lose control and collide with something bigger, and more stationary than a deer.

4.Take a moment to reflect. First, look for the road signs. The yellow diamonds with the deer on it are placed in high-traffic areas for deer. You may also spot a deer because their eyes will brightly reflect a car's headlights, making them easier to spot.

5.Stay Center. On a multi-lane road, the center lane is your safest bet for avoiding a deer collision, as long as your local traffic laws permit it. This gives deer plenty of space; and in case your vehicle does startle them, it gives you more time to react if one darts onto the road.

6.Stay the course. If you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. Swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation much worse. Not to mention, deer are unpredictable, and you could swerve directly into their changed path.

7.Honk! Some experts recommend that one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road. Do not rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer — studies have shown them to be largely ineffective at minimizing accidents.